DNA Explainer: What is 'Prone position', does it really help in improving oxygen levels?

The second wave of COVID-19 is deadly and the pressure can be seen in hospitals reeling under the shortage of oxygen supply and other medical facilities. Meanwhile, several patients are in home quarantine and have to keep monitoring their symptoms, especially to keep a check in their oxygen levels.

At such a crucial juncture a video showing how to 'improve' your oxygen levels is going viral. In the video, a person explains in a simple way to improve oxygen levels to above 95, and then also demonstrating it using a pulse oximeter.

In the video, the man can be seen saying that while in the sitting position the oximeter read 95 and below, in the prone or on the stomach position with pronal breathing, the oxygen levels are seen to steadily increase to 98 from 93-94 within a minute.

What is proning?

Proning is the process of turning a patient with precise, safe motions from their back onto their abdomen (stomach) so the individual is lying face down. It is especially beneficial in comprised COVID-19 patients with or without ventilator needs.

The position allows for better expansion of the dorsal (back) lung regions, improved body movement, and enhanced removal of secretions which may ultimately lead to advances in oxygenation (breathing).

Lying on the chest and stomach position, or on the sides, is considered to help the body get air into all areas of the lungs rather than lying flat on the back. It is a simple and safe method to improve oxygenation.

How it helps COVID-19 patients?

Some patients experiencing mild respiratory distress who do not need a ventilator, or those who could progress to severe respiratory distress, show improved oxygenation from proning.

Though there is not enough evidence to prove that proning alleviates patients needing ventilators, but it temporarily improves oxygenation.

This is why proning has become part of the plan of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Italy used this method

Last year when Italy was in the grip of the deadly COVID-19 virus and its high-tech hospitals were brimming full of patients with ICUs packed with critical coronavirus infected patients, the doctors started putting the patients in prone positions.

The doctors were of the belief that by doing so the flow of oxygen would reach the lungs directly improving their conditions. It was been used as a life-saving technique.